Cultural, heritage and facilities services

Toowoomba Regional Council’s 2010/11 Budget allocations have recognised the importance of the area’s community facilities with a significant emphasis on maintaining and upgrading showgrounds, libraries and cemeteries across the region.

Cultural, Heritage and Facilities Services portfolio leader Cr Ros Scotney said operational and capital expenditure costs would see $755,106 spent on art galleries, $146,316 on cultural development, $612,797 on cultural facilities, $1,308,702 on the theatre services owners program, $4,164,563 on library services, $129,462 on museums, $838,003 on cemeteries, $186,311 on showgrounds, $1,023,815 on indoor sport and rec facilities and $4,951,042 providing aquatic facilities.

Cr Scotney said the major works at the Oakey Pool and the Milne Bay Aquatic Centre highlighted the importance TRC placed on quality recreational options for the region.

“We are an active community and enjoy all the benefits that come from a healthy lifestyle,” Cr Scotney said. “That’s why it’s important we regularly upgrade our aquatic facilities and keep them in good condition for all patrons.”

Budget allocations for aquatic facilities include:

• Milne Bay Aquatic Centre – Replacement of gymnasium equipment - $30,000
• Milne Bay Aquatic Centre – Refurbishment and Associated Close Down - $600,000 ($216,000 + $384,000 funding subsidy)
• Milne Bay Aquatic Centre – Equipment repair and maintenance - $117,130
• Milne Bay Aquatic Centre – Reflooring of wet areas - $220,000
• Oakey Pool – rectification works - $720,000
• Pittsworth Pool – modification to entry area - $7000
• Pittsworth Pool – Disabled access toilet and change room - $30,000
• Highfields Pool – heat pump - $53,000

Community Facilities

Cr Scotney said water harvesting was a focus in this year’s budget, with a significant number of tanks being allocated (at a cost of $30,500) to help regional halls better function in dry conditions.

“Our halls are a central part of every community. They see a lot of local families and visitors through their doors, so to be able to cover water usage needs goes a long way towards taking the burden off the various townships’ supplies,” she said.

Budget allocations for community facilities include:

• Cambooya Hall (Water Harvesting – 2x 20,000 to 25,000-litre tanks) including pumps for irrigation - $12,500
• Clifton – FE Logan Hall (Water Harvesting –20,000 to 25,000-litre tank) + pumps - $8000
• Millmerran – Rural residential Estates Hall (Water Harvesting –20,000 to 25,000-litre tank) + pumps - $5000
• Goombungee – Gowrie Junction Fed Com Sport and Rec Hall - (Water Harvesting –20,000 to 25,000-litre tank) + pumps - $5000
• Goombungee Community/Cultural Precinct Stage 2 improvements - $10,000
• Clifton Old Kindergarten – upgrade toilet facilities - $10,000
• Crows Nest – Crows Nest Community & RSL Centre – acoustics improvements to front meeting room - $10,000
• Oakey – Oakey Cultural Centre stairs (access to bio box) - $25,000

“Stage 2 improvements at Goombungee provide for the completion of this project by incorporating seating, a barbecue area and drink counter to cater for functions associated with the art gallery, community annual Christmas market as well as use by the Blue Care Respite Program,” Cr Scotney said.

Budget allocations for showgrounds include:

• Clifton – Clifton Recreation grounds – Power upgrade - $25,000
• Pittsworth Showgrounds – Power extension - $15,000

Budget allocations for indoor sports and recreation facilities include:

• Millmerran – Millmerran Indoor Sports Centre – reline roof insulation - $50,000
• Highfields – Highfields Fitness and Recreation – gym equipment replacement - $20,000

Budget allocations for cemeteries include:

• Greenmount – Greenmount Cemetery – $4579
• Clifton - Clifton cemeteries – $13,075
• Millmerran - Millmerran cemeteries – $2544
• Pittsworth – Pittsworth Cemetery – $11,956
• Goombungee – Goombungee/Yarraman cemeteries – $5292
• Toowoomba – Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery – garage and workshop - $65,000

Cr Scotney said a new workshop and garage would be built incorporating a large shed with a concrete floor which would provide a much-needed replacement for the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery’s existing facility.

• Toowoomba – Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery – development of a prestige cremated ashes section - $70,000.

“The initial cost is $70,000, however, the expected income in year one is approximately $50,000,” Cr Scotney said. “Sales from the new cremated ashes section are expected to return about $250,000 (net) back to council.”

Budget allocations to theatres include:

• Toowoomba – Purchase and install sound equipment for the Empire Theatre - $12,000
• Toowoomba – Replace administrative equipment for the Empire Theatre - $55,000
• Toowoomba – Purchase and install lighting In Empire Theatre and studio - $90,000

Budget allocations to art galleries include:

• Crows Nest – Disabled ramp to Crows Nest Art Gallery - $20,000
• Toowoomba – Acquisitions of paintings - $10,000
• Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Furniture, equipment and fittings - $21,000

As well, council will continue with its commitment to the Community Arts and Cultural Support Fund with an allocation of $27,660.

Budget allocations to library services include:

• Library books and materials (available for distribution to all libraries in the region) - $853,022 (Grant from State Library $673,492)

A new, custom-made mobile library is currently being fitted out and is expected to be on the road in early 2011 with an operational cost of $6007 per month.

“Our art galleries, theatres and libraries across the region continually prove to be centres of great enjoyment for our residents and we’re constantly looking to increase our range of library materials and acquire new works of art to ensure that everyone coming to our cultural facilities has an enjoyable and memorable experience,” Cr Scotney said.